Pathological Spine Fracture

What is a Pathological Spine Fracture?

The spine consists of a column of twenty-six bones located between the base of the skull and the pelvis. The spine helps support and move the body as well as protect the spinal cord. Spine fractures can be caused by an accident or injury, such as a fall or direct blow onto the back, or as the result of a disease, most commonly osteoporosis or a tumor. 

If you have a spine fracture caused by a disease, which is called a Pathological Spine Fracture, the common symptoms can include:

• Back pain 
• Extremity pain
• Numbness and/or weakness in the extremities

If you are experiencing symptoms of a Pathological Spine Fracture, it is best to make an appointment with one of the Board Certified Neurosurgeons at the Spine Institute of Louisiana as soon as possible. Delaying treatment may cause the fracture and its symptoms to become worse. At the Spine Institute of Louisiana, our Board Certified Neurosurgeons have helped thousands of patients with Pathological Spine Fractures live active and healthy lives using the latest non-surgical and surgical procedures.

How is a Pathological Spine Fracture Treated at the Spine Center of Louisiana? 

Depending on the classification of the fracture, nonsurgical treatment options may be used to reduce pain and other symptoms while the pathological spine fracture heals. These can include:

• Rest
• Bracing
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and pain medications
• Osteoporosis medications
• Physical therapy
• Radiation therapy (for a tumor)

In other cases, your Spine Institute of Louisiana specialist may recommend minimally invasive surgery to fix the fractured spine using a procedure known as kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty. These procedures use x-ray guidance, tiny surgical instruments, and bone cement to restore normal anatomy to the fractured vertebra. The Board Certified Neurosurgeons at the Spine Institute of Louisiana have performed thousands of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries and are experts in these procedures.